Facebook wants to put Facebook Home on as many devices as possible, and that includes tablets — eventually. It just promised that tablets would get support, but only at some point in the months ahead. For now, it’s phones only. The social network hasn’t said which tablets might be at the forefront, although its plan to steadily widen hardware compatibility suggests that any support will evolve quickly.
You may not have realized it if you were heads-down with your smartphone, but one of the most popular Angry Birds games is on Facebook: its social network adaptation, Angry Birds Friends, has racked up about 15 million active users. It’s only appropriate, then, that Rovio complete the cycle with new plans to bring Angry Birds Friends to mobile. While details are slim, the company vows that the upcoming Android and iOS ports will maintain Facebook integration for rewards and tournaments, and they’ll support both phones and tablets. We’ll already have an inkling of what gameplay to expect courtesy of the web game, although we’re not so fortunate with the release date — Rovio will only say that the mobile Friends port is coming “soon.”
Filed under: Cellphones, Gaming, Tablets
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Rovio
As much as we’re intrigued by the prospect of Twitter’s music app, the rumored emphasis on SoundCloud would potentially limit the selection given major label resistance to giving away ad-free content: we’d expect a lot of DJ sets and indie demos. A supposed leak from AllThingsD has Twitter catering to the less adventurous among us by adding Vevo support. While the full workings of the rumored app remain a mystery, Twitter would reportedly play Vevo’s mostly pop-oriented music videos through a custom player. It might not be the only service involved, too: the same tips suggest that Twitter wants to round up multiple services, and the two that have surfaced so far are just the first to hop aboard. We have a hunch that the expanded app (if real) won’t make the originally claimed March launch when we’re already at the last weekday of the month, but the latest tidbit suggests Twitter is far from giving up on turning microblogs into mini jukeboxes.
Filed under: Internet
Source: AllThingsD
Vine video posts have had an ephemeral quality when there’s been few ways to show them off outside of catching a web link the moment it appears. There’s a better way to make those six seconds last an eternity now that the Twitter-run service offers support for embedding its loops on the web. As long as you have access to an existing web link or share a clip through an updated iOS app, you can get HTML code to embed a video in two styles and three different sizes. While it’s not quite the expanded platform support that some are hoping for, embedded viewing does make it easier to see what Vine is about — and potentially delight (or annoy) blog readers who’d have otherwise missed your ultra-short movie projects.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet
More than a few iOS-based Twitter users were happy to see Twitterrific 5 appear late last year with a fresh design, but were less than thrilled to go without the push notifications that many take for granted in other apps. Equality has come through Twitterrific 5.2 — for some, at least. The upgrade at last pops up interactions as they happen, with a symbol to indicate whether it’s a conversation, favorite or retweet. Push delivery isn’t guaranteed at this point, however. Iconfactory is currently rolling out the beta-level feature to users in batches of 1,000 to avoid oversaturating its servers; you may have to wait awhile. The impatient still get some upgrades to sate their appetite, though, including user banners on profiles, discussion sharing through email and Droplr content thumbnails. If you’re willing to pay $6 ($3 on sale) for more than what Twitter gives away for free, the new version may be a good excuse to try something new.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Via: iMore
Source: App Store, Twitterrific
Starting today, Facebook is launching a new threaded Replies commenting system for users with more than 10,000 followers as well as Pages linked to brands and businesses. By placing the most “liked” conversation logs at the top of its related post, the social network hopes this new addition will improve interactions between groups and their readers. Qualified profiles should be able to opt-in to the feature today, but the company advises that it will be activated for all Pages and profiles with more than 10,000 followers on July 10th. As of now Replies is only supported on the site’s desktop version, but Facebook plans to add this feature to its Graph API and mobile applications. While it’s great to see the popular social network finally pulling its commenting system out of the Dark Ages, we can only imagine the flame wars that will ensue between followers. Moderators, start your engines.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Facebook
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Facebook
Snapseed quickly took on Google+ integration after it was acquired by Google. It’s now Snapseed’s time to return the favor. An update to the Google+ apps is introducing basic image editing (currently for iOS only) and, yes, those seemingly inescapable retro filters to get just the right effect before an image goes into a post. The pseudo-Instagram layer is far from the only addition, however. Android and desktop users can optionally tell Google+ to always share their closest available location in their profile; posts in the stream now include more text and make it easier to see photos and videos; Community participants can also invite people, share posts and manage activity away from their computers. If you’ve ever wanted to fix a Google+ photo — or break it, some would argue — the Android and iOS updates are rolling out today.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Internet, Mobile, Google
Via: Google+
Source: App Store, Google Play
The marriage of social networking and television is nothing new, but Myriad recently launched Social TV, a white label solution which allows TV service providers to roll out their own custom social networking platform on your cable box. It complements services like Twitter, Facebook and Google+ by offering a more contextual way for viewers to interact with their friends while watching TV. Social TV provides an integrated HTML5 experience that’s consistent across both television and companion devices (phones and tablets). Viewers can chose between receiving alerts on their TVs, mobile devices or both and can create show- or series-specific virtual communities that automatically expire when the program ends. The system is even mindful of time zones and time-shifts messages to prevent spoilers. More after the break.
Gallery: Myriad Social TV hands-on
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Tablets, HD
More than a few of us were surprised when Facebook tried pushing Android app updates outside of Google Play. Was it switching app distribution models? Not quite. We’ve since learned that Facebook was trialling a program that lets social networkers volunteer for beta tests, and the same update is now available in Google Play for everyone. The update isn’t special in itself, mostly adding profile photo changes (also seen on iOS) as well as ways to hide or report posts. However, it also includes the beta version’s request for permission to download files without notification when on WiFi, which may let testers receive future pre-release updates even when they haven’t explicitly approved non-Google Play installations — we’ve reached out to Facebook to verify that this is the case. No matter how much Facebook expands the beta pool, prospective Guinea pigs and cover shot seekers just need to visit the source link.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Facebook
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Google Play
What do Twitter co-founders Jack Dorsey and Christopher “Biz” Stone have in common with Thomas Edison? That’s easy, they’re all patent holders. Issued today, the USPTO’s database details a messaging system where users can follow each other and display messages without a unique recipient. Last time we checked, this is how Twitter works. Officially assigned to the social network, the application was filed in July 2008, listing Dorsey and Stone as the intellectual property’s inventors. Now for those of you thinking that Twitter is gearing up to slap other companies silly with mountains of infringement lawsuits, think again. Around this time last year the company announced its Innovators Patent Agreement, which detailed a contract between the social network and its employees saying that any of their work related patents will be used for defensive purposes only. While this not so angry bird doesn’t seem too eager to attack, it might be a good idea for other companies (especially social networks) using similar technologies to assess their current setup just to be on the safe side.
Filed under: Internet, Software
Via: The Verge
Source: USPTO
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